A qualitative analysis of information pertinent to alternative teacher certification in Texas is presented. Texas reform legislation passed in 1984 included a requirement for the State Board of Education to provide a route to teacher certification for those who were not graduates of teacher education programs. Those persons would be required to pass admission and certification tests required of other candidates, with the exception of the test for professional development. A 1-year supervised internship was also required. For the 1988-89 school year, a total of 10 alternative programs were approved involving 869 interns, of whom 453 are minority group interns. Information sources for this analysis included: (1) reports generated by six state agency staff after monitoring visits; (2) observations of interns, supervising teachers, and program personnel who train the interns; (3) questionnaires administered to and interviews conducted with interns and other role groups; (4) progress reports compiled by program administrators; and (5) team reports submitted to the State Board of Education. Documents reviewed by staff and team members during visits included college transcripts; results of classroom observations and evaluations conducted by local districts; admission and certification test results; and program curricula, policies, textbooks, and records. Results show that legislative and public interest in alternative routes to teacher certification will continue and that experiences with alternative certification in other states reflect those in Texas. Against this social and political backdrop, colleges and universities preparing preservice teachers find themselves in an uncomfortable position. Another implication of alternative certification is the entry of new organizational structures for delivering teacher education. Program guidelines for alternative teacher certification in Texas, a synopsis of programs approved for 1988-89, a list of names/addresses of program directors, and five data tables are appended. (TJH)